Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 528261

Shown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by Keeta Orenda on July 15, 2005, at 19:22:08

I saw my doc yesterday & he gave me some samples of Zoloft. I began 25mg this morning. So far, no side effects or any "feeling" of having begun a new drug. I also take 30mg Adderall XR.

I'm frustrated cause he (and another doctor awhile back) said that I'd taken all the medicines & there was nothing left.

That can't possibly be true!!!! I've not taken TONS of drugs I see in these very forums. Here's a list of the drugs I've tried & that either never worked or stopped working after awhile:

Prozac-WORSE
Paxil-WORSE
Pamelor-Worked for a bit
Wellbutrin-Numbed me & then grew a rash
Trazodone
Celexa-WORSE
Lexapro-WORSE
Effexor-Worked for the longest time but side effects & extreme sleepiness made me finally quit it!
Cymbalta-Just tried this..was a zombie 1 weekend & then quit it.

So, anyhow....my diagnosis is Depression & Add-Inattentive. I have some anxiety. I'm a classic couch potato & don't have any energy to motivate myself to do anything!

Anyhow, not sure what I'm asking....just trying to get established in this community & open a dialogue. I don't know if this Zoloft is right for me as it's also another SSRI and those haven't worked for me at all.

I really don't know WHY I've been told by 2 different doctors, "You've tried nearly everything." Do you suppose they are simply referring to drugs that ONLY treat depression? Maybe, all these other drugs aren't for folks who "only" have a diagnosis of depression?

Thanks for any feedback. :-)

--Keeta

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by linkadge on July 15, 2005, at 19:32:24

In reply to Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by Keeta Orenda on July 15, 2005, at 19:22:08

No, you have definately not tried everything. Parnate might be a good one for you. It is good for amotivational depression.

It is from the first class of antidepressants known as MAOI's.

Linkadge

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??! » Keeta Orenda

Posted by Racer on July 15, 2005, at 20:27:27

In reply to Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by Keeta Orenda on July 15, 2005, at 19:22:08

>
> I'm frustrated cause he (and another doctor awhile back) said that I'd taken all the medicines & there was nothing left.
>
> That can't possibly be true!!!! I've not taken TONS of drugs I see in these very forums. Here's a list of the drugs I've tried & that either never worked or stopped working after awhile:
>

You're right, it isn't true. From your list, it looks as though you've tried pretty much all the SSRIs and one TCA. That leaves all the other TCAs and the MAOIs, as well as a few other, unrelated anti-depressants, like Remeron. And that's not even mentioning combining anti-depressants...

> Prozac-WORSE
> Paxil-WORSE
> Pamelor-Worked for a bit
> Wellbutrin-Numbed me & then grew a rash
> Trazodone
> Celexa-WORSE
> Lexapro-WORSE
> Effexor-Worked for the longest time but side effects & extreme sleepiness made me finally quit it!
> Cymbalta-Just tried this..was a zombie 1 weekend & then quit it.
>

If Effexor worked well for you, I strongly urge you to give Cymbalta another try. I've been taking it now since late August, and I will tell you that most of what I experienced on it changed after the start up phase. On the other hand, my depression didn't fully remit until we added Wellbutrin. It may be that you'll need some sort of combination, too.

Hope that helps.

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by Keeta Orenda on July 15, 2005, at 21:18:09

In reply to Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??! » Keeta Orenda, posted by Racer on July 15, 2005, at 20:27:27

Actually, I didn't word my original post right about the Cymbalta. I tried it for a little over 3 weeks & I got progressively worse to where I started missing appointments and not wanting to go out or do anything. And then the last weekend that I tried it, I was a complete zombie! I was in bed for 3 days straight, not really sleeping much, but, just kinda staring, not having the energy or desire to do anything at all.

From what I understand from the forums....Cymbalta works more on the Serotonin than Effexor does. I think anything that works more on my Serotonin is not going to be the drug for me. I felt much worse with Prozac, Celexa, and Lexapro. Paxil at first provided a boost in energy & mood but then it caused HORRIBLE sleep problems and I was in tears by the end from all the sleep deprivation.

I just read that Wellbutrin is mostly for Dopamine and it disappoints me & surprises me that that didn't work for me! I felt very numb on it....not really depressed, not really happy; I simply existed. and then a rash developed on me and the doc took me off it. I must admit, after reading how Wellbutrin mixed with something else works so well for a lot of you folks, I really wanna try it again! Maybe, that rash had nothing to do with the Wellbutrin. It didn't bother me..it was just a discoloration across my belly. :-)

--Keeta

>>If Effexor worked well for you, I strongly urge you to give Cymbalta another try. I've been taking it now since late August, and I will tell you that most of what I experienced on it changed after the start up phase. On the other hand, my depression didn't fully remit until we added Wellbutrin. It may be that you'll need some sort of combination, too.<<

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by Phillipa on July 15, 2005, at 21:18:32

In reply to Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??! » Keeta Orenda, posted by Racer on July 15, 2005, at 20:27:27

Post all of your symptoms, how long you've had them, your anxiety level, sleeping at night, hx of mental illness in your family. Once the Board knows your hx and responses to these drugs the expert opinions will pour in. Keep posting Threads as different people are here all the time. Fondly, Phillipa

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by gromit on July 15, 2005, at 22:15:58

In reply to Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by Keeta Orenda on July 15, 2005, at 21:18:09

Wellbutrin gave me a rash when I started it. It was not bad just mildly annoying and it went away within a few weeks.

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by krybrahaha78 on July 15, 2005, at 23:59:02

In reply to Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by Keeta Orenda on July 15, 2005, at 19:22:08

ive tried more than that--luvox is the only one that worked for me

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by Emily Elizabeth on July 16, 2005, at 0:13:55

In reply to Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by Keeta Orenda on July 15, 2005, at 19:22:08

Do you see a psychiatrist or just your regular doc? It sounds like your chemistry is more complex than regular docs can deal with. A pdoc would have more experience and ideas.

Another TCA like Desipramine might be a good try. It has been somewhat helpful for me. I also take Dexedrine (a stimulant, so really an ADD med) and that helps with motivation.

Never fear--there is lots more to try! Also you didn't mention if you'd tried psychotherapy? Therapy can sometimes help people in ways that meds can't. Good luck!

Best,
EE

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by Keeta Orenda on July 16, 2005, at 1:19:53

In reply to Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by Emily Elizabeth on July 16, 2005, at 0:13:55

Hi :-)

Yes, I'm seeing a Psychiatrist who specializes in depression & anxiety. But, I've only seen him 3 times so far & he's basically just my meds doctor. I've been seeing a clinical social worker for 9 years or so for counseling. I stopped seeing her for a couple of years 'cause I was bummed out on getting "worse" & I thought the counseling was useless. I started back up again with her about a couple of months ago and am very glad that I did! :-) I almost feel like we're old friends. I can tell her anything, even willing to tell her about bad things that I think or feel, so, I feel like that's a constructive relationship there. And I've been with many other counselors before her. I'm 40 and I've been in counseling since High School.

--Keeta

> Do you see a psychiatrist or just your regular doc? It sounds like your chemistry is more complex than regular docs can deal with. A pdoc would have more experience and ideas.
>
> Another TCA like Desipramine might be a good try. It has been somewhat helpful for me. I also take Dexedrine (a stimulant, so really an ADD med) and that helps with motivation.
>
> Never fear--there is lots more to try! Also you didn't mention if you'd tried psychotherapy? Therapy can sometimes help people in ways that meds can't. Good luck!
>
> Best,
> EE

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??! » Keeta Orenda

Posted by Jazzed on July 16, 2005, at 9:21:37

In reply to Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by Keeta Orenda on July 15, 2005, at 19:22:08

I haven't read through all the posts so I don't know if this has been suggested, but why not add Strattera to the Adderall? Strattera was originally used for depression. When I took Strattera I had great motivation, and a wonderful increase in memory.

I also have ADD and anxiety, now taking Adderall XR 30 + 10 mg in the afternoon, and Zoloft - just started + Ambien for sleep.

Jazzy

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??! » krybrahaha78

Posted by Phillipa on July 16, 2005, at 18:04:59

In reply to Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by krybrahaha78 on July 15, 2005, at 23:59:02

krybrahaha, Luvox worked for you? If your Babblemail were on I'd Babble you and ask what it did for you and what your dx is and what you're on now. You can Babble me if you read this. You're the first person who has said just an ssri helped them. Luvox is the only one that had no side effects for me . I just stopped it . I didn't see the point and now I feel worse. Fondly, Phillipa

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by stresser on July 16, 2005, at 19:18:08

In reply to Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??! » krybrahaha78, posted by Phillipa on July 16, 2005, at 18:04:59

Hi,
Just to inform you that I take Zoloft (100mg) and Adderal XR 20mg per day. (Topomax as well)
These meds have made a MAJOR difference in my life. I too was depressed with no motivation, and had so much anxiety that I could hardly breath. I cannot tell you how different I feel after being on them for months. After adding the last one (adderall), things really started changing. My motivation and lack of concentration deminished! Life is good, and I wonder if I have been missing out on life for my entire life? I asked my doctor if the general population is like this, and I have been missing out all of this time. She said that some are. I guess I found these 40 years late! You HAVE NOT tried everything. Keep going, and check in with this board for the wonderful advice from everyone! They are great people!-L

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by Keeta Orenda on July 16, 2005, at 20:52:42

In reply to Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by stresser on July 16, 2005, at 19:18:08

I've been on the Zoloft for only 2 days so far & I actually felt a marked upswing in mood & motivation! I sure hope this continues!

Of the ones who have said they take Adderall XR in the AM and then 10mg later....is the 10mg XR or regular?? When I switched doctors, he is not willing to prescribe more than 30mg Adderall XR once in the morning....asking for 10mg of regular later on in the day might be a good compromise to ask for! :-) I just don't think this XR once a day is good enough!

My other doctor was actually willing to prescribe 20mg Adderall XR FOUR times a day!! No, I PROMISE, DOUBLE-PROMISE I didn't take it that much! But, I did take it 2 or 3 times a day. The more pills I had, the longer I could stretch out a prescription as it was very hard at that time to get a new prescription in a timely manner each month back then.

And originally, the only reason I switched to the XR was cause the generic became available and then I HAD to get that instead of name-brand with my insurance. And I just didn't feel like the generic was good enough. But, maybe I oughtta switch back? It may be all in my head, but, I've gotten the impression that XR versions of different drugs kinda makes me sleepy.

--Keeta

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??! » Keeta Orenda

Posted by Jazzed on July 16, 2005, at 21:18:14

In reply to Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by Keeta Orenda on July 16, 2005, at 20:52:42

>
>
> Of the ones who have said they take Adderall XR in the AM and then 10mg later....is the 10mg XR or regular?? >
> And I just didn't feel like the generic was good enough. But, maybe I oughtta switch back? .


It's regular release 10 mg adderall that I take in the afternoon.

Also, some ppl swear that there's a difference between the brand and generic adderall. I assume it was Barr generic that you took because that seems to be the one ppl have trouble with. There's a lot of information over on www.addforums.com regarding brand vs. generic, as well as dosing, and various meds taken in conjunction with adderall.

I took my first dose of zoloft today, and feel totally depressed. I hope that doesn't continue. I stopped taking Lexapro because I couldn't think. It undid all the good the adderall does for me, so the doctor switched me to zoloft.

Jazzy


 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by DanielJ on July 17, 2005, at 7:40:35

In reply to Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by gromit on July 15, 2005, at 22:15:58

Have you tried varying the doses of some of these meds? Most don't work correctly in the wrong amount which varies from person to person. For example my son took 50 mgs of Zoloft with not much effect. After a month the Dr put him on 100 mgs and this proved to be too much because he was falling asleep on his feet. I cut the pills in half and gave him 75 mg. He has been on 75 mg for 2 years and it works perfectly. Not enough and it won't work, too much and it will impair your judgement and reflexes. Dosage can be critical on SSRI's. You have already taken several of them ie Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro most of these are similar to Zoloft.

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??! » Keeta Orenda

Posted by Jazzed on July 17, 2005, at 7:53:23

In reply to Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by Keeta Orenda on July 16, 2005, at 20:52:42

Just curious, why'd you quit the first p-doc? I'd guess if the 2nd will only Rx you 30 mg Adderall XR then they don't specialize in ADD? You might do well to find a p-doc who specializes in ADD. They will treat the ADD, as well the depression/anxiety, but I think if you don't get the right med/dose for the ADD then it's hard to work on the other stuff, unless the depression is more pressing than the ADD. For me the ADD was my primary issue. Just my opinion.

Jazzy

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by Keeta Orenda on July 17, 2005, at 14:40:50

In reply to Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??! » Keeta Orenda, posted by Jazzed on July 17, 2005, at 7:53:23

*sigh* My p-doc that was prescribing the Effexor & the Adderall for several years was really an unavailable doc. When I BEGAN going to him, he called himself "semi-retired" at that time and over the years, it's just gotten worse. So, it was time to find another doctor. I'm in the USA & am on the state medical insurance program and so I'm limited as to who I can go to....the insurance has a bad reputation & fewer & fewer doctors are accepting it.

The very FIRST doctor who started me on anti-depressants and Adderall....well, I voluntarily quit seeing him. Several things bothered me about him. First off, I was a fully-functioning employed person before starting all this. I've always suffered from depression and have always had a hard time doing my work, but, I managed somehow. I blame that first doctor for "convincing" me to go on Disability..and I never was truly convinced. To this day, I'm not convinced that going on Disability was AT ALL the best & productive thing to do! But, now, I feel stuck, trapped, & helpless and I don't know how to get myself out....I don't feel like, at this point, that I'll ever be able to think & function normally. And in looking back, I remember a bunch of struggling to perform my duties & stay afloat & employed. Only once was I fired 'cause I couldn't do the job well, and I even think there may have been other more personal reasons I was fired and that my job performance was good enough to keep going.

So, anyhow, I was seeing that first doc for a couple of years. I was on the Effexor, Trazadone, and Adderall when my sleeping problems came to a head and I guess you could say I was fired from there too....I saw myself slipping each day & I felt really helpless to do anything about it. I was chronically late to work cause I couldn't get my drugged butt outta bed on time! And I finally got a warning that one more tardiness & I was outta there. So, there was one more time & I didn't even bother going in. I can't outright say I was fired 'cause if I had not been on those meds then I wouldn't have had such CONTROLLING sleeping problems & I could have continued my existence there.

At the time, I didn't know it was the Effexor zonking me out so bad....'cause I knew that the Effexor and the Adderall were both making me feel a lot better emotionally! So, it had to be something else. Trazadone? Well, I suspected since that helps you sleep, that THAT must have been responsible for my extreme somnolence! So, after I got fired/quit, I quit the Trazadone. On looking back, I think it may have been helping a lot as far as the depression was concerned, but, oh well.

So, there was the Trazadone & then there was ME! Good God, what a mess! :-) I never have eaten right nor have I exercised. So, I decided that there was nothing that could be done about me constantly sleeping other than eat vegetables--which I LOATHE--and exercise. I didn't really realize that I was being drugged "out of my job"....I just figured I was unhealthy & hopeless. If I had only known it was the Effexor all along, I might still be employed today. Who knows.

And the thing is, I don't wanna just "get a job" and barely hang on again..with no ambition or ideas for the future. I want a CAREER, not a job. I want to get so enthusiastic & excited about an Interest that I really want to do it for the rest of my life! And I want to be GOOD at something! I want to be proud of myself, of my accomplishments. My brain feels so inept these days! I'm sleepy a lot of the time; I feel confused & unable to concentrate; I want to teach myself this 'n that but feel like my brain power is lacking! I come from intelligent "stock" :-) I'm the youngest of 3 and both of my older sisters are doctors, one medical, the other academic. My parents both have professional/intellectual jobs. I'm smart, really, but, I can't seem to PROVE it to myself! Anyhow, that's enough ranting for this post. Thanks for listening! :-)

--Keeta


> Just curious, why'd you quit the first p-doc? I'd guess if the 2nd will only Rx you 30 mg Adderall XR then they don't specialize in ADD? You might do well to find a p-doc who specializes in ADD. They will treat the ADD, as well the depression/anxiety, but I think if you don't get the right med/dose for the ADD then it's hard to work on the other stuff, unless the depression is more pressing than the ADD. For me the ADD was my primary issue. Just my opinion.
>
> Jazzy

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by Jazzed on July 17, 2005, at 14:53:25

In reply to Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by Keeta Orenda on July 17, 2005, at 14:40:50


Sorry that your options are so limited as far as docs, but it sounds like you've been consistent with your T for quite awhile. Is she helpful?

So, how are you feeling on the Zoloft so far? Are you still eating better and exercising? I swear by exercise. I feel really good/less anxious when I'm exercising, and if I don't get to it every day I'm a total B*TCH!

It's great that you want to pull things together. I hope it happens for you. Are you going back to school or anything?

Good luck to you!
Jazzy

 

Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!

Posted by Dave001 on July 18, 2005, at 19:55:35

In reply to Re: Zoloft - No other drugs left??!, posted by DanielJ on July 17, 2005, at 7:40:35

> Have you tried varying the doses of some of these meds? Most don't
> work correctly in the wrong amount which varies from person to
> person. For example my son took 50 mgs of Zoloft with not much
> effect. After a month the Dr put him on 100 mgs and this proved to be
> too much because he was falling asleep on his feet. I cut the pills
> in half and gave him 75 mg. He has been on 75 mg for 2 years and it
> works perfectly. Not enough and it won't work, too much and it will
> impair your judgement and reflexes. Dosage can be critical on SSRI's.

Are you saying that your son exhibited an inverted "U" shaped
dose-response relationship to Zoloft (i.e., cognition and vigilance were
impaired at 100 mg but *enhanced* at 75 mg), or was this a fairly linear
dose-response?


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.